Could Ronaldo really return to Manchester?

The biggest story in world football is currently developing, as Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave Real Madrid and Spain altogether. The Portuguese superstar was recently accused of defrauding Spanish authorities over a reported $16 million in taxes, and he’s enraged. Will Ronaldo actually go anywhere?

Well, this is it. The bombshell that blew up the transfer market dropped on Friday, when it was reported by Spanish outlet Marca that Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid this summer. Marca is a Madrid-based publication that is essentially the flagship media outlet for the club. If any source has the scoop on this, it’s probably them.

This news seems incredibly illogical and non-sequitur. It’s the kind of report that takes a few days to sink in, like when Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. At first I was filled with shock and some disbelief, and now the enormous mountain of questions are setting in. Why would he want to leave after winning a 3rd European title in 4 years? Why leave his entire life in Madrid over a relatively trivial amount of money?

More from The Top Flight

After following this story over the weekend, the burning questions mercilessly remain. The origin of this avalanche has only been disclosed as a “source close to the player.” The first reports came out of a local Portuguese news station and the aforementioned Madrid publication Marca. The worldwide sensation that is Cristiano Ronaldo might be ready to tarnish his Real Madrid legacy because he is angered over accusations that he defrauded Spanish authorities $16 million in tax money.

Ronaldo is reportedly angered with his club because they have not stood up for him amidst these allegations, even though Los Blancos provided a public statement in support of their star man. It is not yet clear whether these rumors have legitimacy behind them or Ronaldo and his team are trying to create a distraction from his recent tax evasion charges.

There are only a few clubs in Europe that can afford Ronaldo and his massive buyout clause. When extending his contract with Madrid last year through to 2021, the European and Spanish champions made sure their talisman couldn’t leave by slapping a ridiculous $1 billion buyout clause on his deal.

Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and AS Monaco are reportedly the frontrunners for the Portuguese forwards signature if he does leave the Spanish capital. In all fairness, Manchester United are the only club that have a real chance of getting him. There has been consistent two-way interest in a deal ever since Ronaldo left Old Trafford for Madrid back in 2009.

To make it even more intriguing, there are other pieces that make a United return logical for the superstar. United are also interested in Alvaro Morata, who is arguably a better investment than the aging Ronaldo. Madrid are interested in United’s star goalkeeper David de Gea, who could prove instrumental in engineering this blockbuster deal.

As of now, there is no obvious outcome in this situation. Ronaldo is the best forward in Real Madrid and Portuguese history, and after winning 4 European titles and 4 Ballon d’Ors he is making his case to be considered the greatest of all time. If he wants to cement himself as the indisputable GOAT, leaving Real Madrid while still in his prime could be a mistake.

Next: Morata to United could get complicated

We Are Hooligans will provide updates on this story as soon as they are available.